By Nick Simonson

The late spring and cooler water temperatures throughout lakes country in west central Minnesota will likely result in anglers finding walleyes just coming off the spawn for the approaching opener, though this doesn’t mean the bite will be slow, according to Nathan Olson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Area Fisheries Supervisor for the Detroit Lakes region.

“Walleyes are all pretty much done spawning. There may be a few males that are still milling around. But I think people are going to find them shallow, this last week of cold weather really hasn’t helped get the water temperatures going into more than the low 50s right now. The opener weather looks good, after this cold front it looks like we’re going to finally get to normal temps – 60s, 70s – and if we get some sunshine it’ll shape up to be some pretty hungry fish out there,” Olson predicts of the season’s start for walleyes on Sat. May 9 in lakes country.

Olson recommends a slower presentation and a variety of baits on hand to find out what the walleyes are eating and to give the fish, which may be recovering from their spawning efforts, a bit more time to bite.  Additionally, water temperatures on most lakes are only now creeping into the upper 50s with the recent cold fronts, so a wise tactic is to either target shallower areas of larger waters; fish areas of warmer, inflowing water; or select smaller lakes with populations of fishable walleyes, as they will likely be warmer with more active fish. As cooler waters still leave the shiner spawn for later in the month, a varied selection of baits is in order, though with the late onset of spring, some bait vendors have not yet seen the first shipment of leeches in the region.

“The shiners are always a big thing on certain lakes too, so shiners might be something to think of.  If you can’t find those, then some decent sized fatheads on jigs are always a good option as well.  I’m really not sure if leeches and crawlers are there yet, but you know how it is this time of year, God knows that any one of those might be good to have in the boat,” Olson relates with a laugh.

Having the additional selection of smaller baits such as crawlers or fathead minnows will also allow anglers to fall back on panfish as a second option, with crappies beginning to move shallow, and bluegills on the early season bite. Additionally, Minnesota now allows a year-round  season for largemouth and smallmouth bass statewide with a catch-and-release portion for both species.  This opportunity has been well-received by anglers and provides an additional option around the more traditional opener which is focused on walleyes and pike.

“This year we finally unveiled the full, year-round, catch-and-release season. The keep season for bass doesn’t start until May 23, so if you’re out there fishing you can’t keep bass until May 23.  From reports I’ve heard, people have been taking full advantage of that catch-and-release season for bass, and just like panfish and some of these walleyes, they’re moving up shallow as the water warms up, so a lot of wacky worms and flukes and things like that, some of those slower sinking, slow presentations have been a big thing for people. And as far as I can tell, people are really enjoying it,” Olson details of the opportunity for catch-and-release bass fishing.

The season in which anglers can catch and keep walleyes in Minnesota begins on Sat. May 9 and closes on Feb. 28, 2027. The catch-and-release season for largemouth bass began on Mar. 1 and closes May 22, when the season opens up to catch-and-keep fishing the following day. Catch-and-keep panfish angling generally remains open year-round in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The daily walleye limit is six in Minnesota, with changes to that bag limit pending public hearings which would lower the bag limit to four in 2027. For more information on Minnesota fishing regulations, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing

Simonson is the lead writer and editor for Dakota Edge Outdoors.

Featured Photo: Anglers will ply Minnesota’s waters as the state’s traditional walleye season opens on Sat. May 9. Simonson Photo.